asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport his plans to develop a programme of tours based on Irish cultural institutions, including specific tours and lectures for specialist groups.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cultural Tours.
10.
I am replying to the Deputy's question which, in fact, relates primarily to the national cultural institutions which are under the general aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach.
Cultural tourism has been identified in the recent Price Waterhouse report on Improving the Performance of Irish Tourism as an area with major growth potential. In order to develop this potential, the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Denis Lyons, in the context of the Interdepartmental Policy Co-ordination Committee on Tourism has been holding discussions with relevant interests.
A development programme is now in place to promote this sector. National lottery funds have been allocated to renovate and upgrade facilities in our major cultural institutions, including the National Museum, the National Gallery and National Library. The Heraldic Museum at 2-3 Kildare Street has been opened to the public. There has also been significant investment in arts centres throughout the country in order to further extend the tourism infrastructure. The question of the improvement of genealogical services for tourists is also being examined.
Allied to these works, a major effort is being made by individual cultural institutions to encourage more visitors by ensuring that institutions are included in itineraries drawn up by tour operators. Tour operators are being encouraged to develop tours based on our cultural heritage. Aer Lingus have already launched such a series of tours in the United States.